ofloxacin is an antibiotic medication in the fluoroquinolone drug class. It is used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria. In eye care, it is commonly prescribed as an ophthalmic (eye) drop or ointment. It is also used in other parts of medicine, but this overview focuses on clinical eye and eyelid use.
gatifloxacin is an antibiotic medication in the fluoroquinolone class. In eye care, it is most commonly used as prescription eye drops to treat certain bacterial infections. It is designed to reduce bacterial growth on the surface of the eye. Use and availability vary by country, formulation, and manufacturer.
moxifloxacin is an antibiotic medicine in the fluoroquinolone class. It is used to treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria. In eye care, it is commonly prescribed as antibiotic eye drops for external eye infections. It may also be used around certain eye procedures to reduce bacterial infection risk in selected cases.
antibiotic eye drops are prescription or clinician-recommended medicines placed on the eye surface to treat or prevent certain bacterial infections. They are used most often for infections of the conjunctiva (the clear membrane over the white of the eye) and the cornea (the clear front window of the eye). They are also commonly used around eye procedures when infection risk is a concern. They do not treat all causes of “red eye,” because many red-eye conditions are viral, allergic, or inflammatory rather than bacterial.
nepafenac is a prescription eye drop used to reduce inflammation and pain in the eye. It belongs to a medication group called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is commonly used around cataract surgery and other anterior segment (front-of-the-eye) procedures. It is formulated for topical use, meaning it is placed directly on the eye as drops.
bromfenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used as an eye drop. It is most commonly used around eye surgery to reduce inflammation and pain. Clinicians may also use it in selected inflammatory eye conditions, depending on the case. Availability, approved indications, and dosing vary by country and formulation.
ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce inflammation and pain. In eye care, it is most commonly prescribed as ketorolac eye drops for short-term control of ocular inflammation or discomfort. It may also be used in other medical settings as an oral or injectable pain medication, depending on the product. Specific indications and formulations vary by country and manufacturer.
NSAID eye drops are prescription eye drops that reduce inflammation and pain on the surface and front part of the eye. NSAID stands for **nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug**. They are commonly used around **eye surgery** and for certain inflammatory eye conditions. They are different from antibiotic drops (which treat infection) and steroid drops (which suppress inflammation through a different pathway).
fluorometholone is a corticosteroid (steroid) medicine used to reduce inflammation in and around the eye. It is most commonly prescribed as an ophthalmic (eye) drop suspension and sometimes as an ointment. Clinicians use it when inflammation is a main driver of symptoms such as redness, swelling, irritation, or light sensitivity. It is used in both optometry and ophthalmology, including routine clinic care and post-operative care.
dexamethasone is a corticosteroid medication that reduces inflammation. It is used in many areas of medicine, including eye care. In ophthalmology, it may be used as eye drops, ointment, injections, or implants depending on the condition. Its main role is to calm inflammatory responses that can affect comfort and vision.
prednisolone is a corticosteroid medicine that reduces inflammation by calming the immune response. In eye care, it is commonly used as an eye drop to treat inflammatory eye conditions and to control inflammation after eye surgery. It can also be used by mouth or by injection for certain inflammatory or autoimmune conditions that may affect the eyes. It is not an antibiotic and does not directly treat infections.
lifitegrast is a prescription anti-inflammatory eye drop used for dry eye disease. It is designed to reduce immune-driven inflammation on the ocular surface (the cornea and conjunctiva). It is most commonly used in outpatient eye care, including optometry and ophthalmology clinics. People may recognize it as a long-term medication option when lubricating drops alone are not enough.
cyclosporine ophthalmic is a prescription eye medication used to manage inflammatory dry eye disease and related ocular surface problems. It is a topical form of cyclosporine, meaning it is applied directly to the eye rather than taken by mouth. It is most commonly used in ophthalmology and optometry clinics for chronic dry eye where inflammation is part of the cause. It is designed for ongoing care rather than immediate, one-time symptom relief.
hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar-based molecule found throughout the body, including in the eye. It helps tissues hold onto water and contributes to lubrication and cushioning. In eye care, it is commonly used in lubricating eye drops and in surgical “viscoelastic” gels used during intraocular procedures. It is also used in other medical fields for joints and skin, but this article focuses on eye-related uses.
carboxymethylcellulose is a modified cellulose polymer used to thicken and stabilize liquids. In eye care, it is most commonly found in artificial tears and lubricating eye drops. It helps the tear film stay on the eye surface longer and reduces friction from blinking. Outside ophthalmology, it is also used broadly in pharmaceuticals and consumer products as a thickener.
lubricating ointment is a thick, oil-based eye product designed to reduce dryness and friction on the eye surface. It is commonly used for dry eye symptoms, nighttime eye comfort, and ocular surface protection. It can be used in clinics and at home as part of broader eye care plans. It typically blurs vision temporarily because it is thicker than eye drops.
preservative-free tears are lubricating eye drops made without chemical preservatives. They are used to moisten and protect the ocular surface (the cornea and conjunctiva). They are commonly used for dry eye symptoms and irritation in everyday eye care. They are also used in clinics when frequent instillation is expected.
artificial tears are lubricating eye drops designed to supplement or mimic natural tears. They are commonly used to relieve symptoms of dry eye and ocular surface irritation. They are widely used in everyday eye care and in eye clinics during evaluation and treatment.
An eye shield is a protective cover placed over the eye to reduce the risk of injury. It is commonly used after eye surgery, during healing from certain eye problems, or after eye trauma. Unlike many eye patches, an eye shield is typically rigid or semi-rigid and is designed to avoid direct pressure on the eyeball. It is used in clinics, hospitals, and sometimes at home during recovery.
tetanus prophylaxis means steps taken to prevent tetanus infection after an injury. It usually involves vaccination, and sometimes an additional antibody product for higher-risk wounds. In eye care, it most often comes up after trauma such as eyelid cuts, orbital injuries, or penetrating eye injuries. It is used across emergency medicine, primary care, surgery, and ophthalmology when wounds may be contaminated.